Banana-crate.



nu. 703,336. Patented Vluna 24, |902. J. A. DAvlnson.

BANANA cnATE.

(Applicgtion led Sept. 20, 1901,) (No Model.)

A We', y,

MyW/WJ Ey UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ALBERT DAVIDSON, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

BANANA-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION formng'part of Letters Patent No. 703,336, dated J une 24, 1902. Application filed September 20, 1901. Serial No. '75,964- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN ALBERT DAVID- SON, of the city of Decatur, county of Macon, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Banana- Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crates used for shipping bananas in bunches, and it provides a collapsible crate Vthat may be made to occupy much less space when empty than when filled.

The invention is exemplified in the structure hereinafter described, and it is defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is an elevation of a crate constructedin accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is also an elevation showing the crate turned one-fourth around from the position it occupiesin Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan of the crate collapsed or folded and laid down.

A sack adapted to contain a bunch of bananas is shown at I. At 2 is represented a pair of parallel strips that form the uprights for the crate, and at 3 is a set of hoops pivotally connected at opposite points of their perimeters to the strips 2. At 4 is shown a basehoop similar in size and shape to the hoops 3. At 7 is shown a brace to hold the basehoop at right angles with the upright strips, and at 9 is shown a pair of braces to connect the lower hoop 3 with the base.

The sack l is closed at its bottom and preferably contractedor pointed to properly center the stalk of the banana-bunch. It is secured to the hoops 3 inside the same, and its upper end is open to receive the bananas. The connection between the sack and the hoops may be made in any desirable manner, and in this instance short pieces of string are shown at 6 to tie`the sack to the hoops. The supporting-strips 2 are pivotally connected at 5 with each of the hoops, and the lowest of the sack-sustaining hoops is high enough above the base-hoop to hold the pointed end of the sack clear of the iioor when the crate is in its normal upright position. The braces are in this instance pivotally joined to the base-hoop, slotted at their opposite ends, and

is preferably made of steel in order that strength and lightness may be suitably combilled'.

The bunch of bananas is placed in the sack in the customary way, the mouth of the sack is closed, and the crate is stood on end while packed and while in transit. When the crate reaches the retailer, the bananas are removed,

the braces are disconnected, and the crate is i folded into the position shown in Fig. 3 to be returned, with other similar crates, to the wholesaler. In their attened condition the crates may be easily stored away until it is desired to return them to the wholesaler, and their reduced bulk makes it much easier to ship them.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Abanana-crate composed of a pair of supporting-strips, a set of hoops placed one above another between the hoops and pivotally connected with the strips at opposite points ofth eir perimeters by radially-disposed pivot-pins, a sack fastened to the hoops inside thesame, and a detachable brace to hold the base-hoop at right angles with the supporting-strips.

2. A banana-crate composed of a set of hoops, a pair of supporting-strips pivotally conjoined to opposite sides of the hoops, a sack fastened to the upper hoops of the set and held therein above the lower or base hoop, a brace to hold the lower hoop at right angles with the supporting-strips and other braces connecting the lower hoop with the hoop next above.

In testimony whereof I sign my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN ALBERT DAVIDSON. Witnesses:

JAMES OMARA, L. R. GRAHAM. 

